The week ahead

SAN ANTONIO – Two more victories will give the Spurs the best start in franchise history through 15 games. As things stand they’re 12-1, winners of 10 straight and tied with Indiana for the league’s best record.

They’re trouncing their opponents by more than 11 points per game, also No. 1. And they’ve done it without taxing anyone with nine players averaging at least 7.4 points and 16.1 minutes.

Memphis gave them a modest test last week, and they’ll face two more from Western Conference rivals Oklahoma City and Houston. Those games will be preceded by a visit on Monday from Tim Duncan’s possible successor, budding Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis.

A trip to Orlando on Friday rounds out a busy slate of four games in six nights.

New Orleans (6-6) 7:30 p.m. Monday, AT&T Center

The Pelicans’ prospects have been boosted by the return of sharp-shooter Ryan Anderson, with whom they’re won three straight to reach .500. He’s an ideal complement to the freakish Davis. Already a statistical monster four months from his 21st birthday, the top pick of the 2012 draft has improved across the board, averaging 20.7 points, 11 rebounds, 3.9 blocks and 1.9 steals with a league-high 29.9 Player Efficiency Rating.

at Oklahoma City (8-3) 7 p.m. Wednesday, Chesapeake Energy Arena

James Harden is long gone, and Russell Westbrook is still getting his groove back in the aftermath of his knee injury. But the Thunder remain a formidable foe, joining the Spurs and Minnesota as the lone teams ranked in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. (They’re 9th and 10th, respectively.) They’re also getting another phenomenal season from Kevin Durant, who is on pace to win his fourth scoring title at 29.5 points per game.

at Orlando (4-9) 6 p.m. Friday, Amway Center

Not even a breakout season from Arron Afflalo, who is averaging a career-best 22.1 points per game, has made much of an impact for the Magic, which has already fallen off the playoff pace in the lowly Eastern Conference. But there are bright spots, however dim, in Jacque Vaughn’s second season with the club. The Magic are scoring slightly more points while allowing more than four fewer per 100 possessions. It isn’t much, but it’s a start.

Houston (9-5) 7:30 p.m. Saturday, AT&T Center

It’s almost a month into the season, and it’s still hard to get a handle on the Rockets. At times they look like potential contenders, such as their double-digit victories over Portland and Minnesota. But the addition of Dwight Howard has done nothing to shore up their leaky defense. They’ve been shockingly bad at times, giving up more than 120 points in three different games and 106.2 per 100 possessions overall to tie for 20th.